Christmas Island Red Crab

ocean migration · Indian Ocean · insects and crabs · nature spectacle

Stunning red color. Christmas Island red crabs are bright red all over, making them unmistakable when millions swarm across the island during their migration season.

Epic ocean journey. Every year, these crabs travel from their forest homes all the way to the ocean to lay their eggs in the water, creating one of nature's most amazing mass gatherings.

Roads shut down. When the migration happens, so many crabs cover the ground that local authorities have to close roads and create detours so the crabs can cross safely.

Population in trouble. Once there were nearly 44 million of these crabs on Christmas Island, but accidental yellow crazy ants arrived and killed about a third of them.

Home in the Indian Ocean. These crabs only live naturally on Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean, making them super special and found nowhere else in the wild.